Should free English classes be scrapped for new migrants?

The inability to speak English is the biggest obstacle to successfully integrating into the UK, said an interim report published today by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion.

Mastering the language "opens up participation in British society and accessing employment", said Darra Singh, the chairman of the commission set up by the government last year to suggest ways of improving integration.

Ministers will probably agree with the sentiments of today's report, seeing as they are planning to cut unemployment benefit for those jobseekers unable to speak, or unwilling to learn, English, and have made English language a requirement for anyone wanting to apply for British citizenship.

If that's the case, why is the government planning to end the universal entitlement to free Esol (English for speakers of other languages) courses? From September, only people with permanent leave to remain in the UK and receiving means-tested benefits or tax credits will be eligible for financial help for classes. This rules out entitlement for asylum seekers over the age of 19.

The government argues that the growing demand for courses - which has tripled over the last five years - is stretching its education budget too far, and money needs to be focused on those who will benefit most (and most benefit the economy).

Roger Kline, head of equality and employment rights at the University and College Union, is heading the Save Esol campaign and will be joined by teachers, trade unionists and charity workers next Wednesday to lobby the government over the issue.

He said today: "The government's plan to restrict access to free Esol courses will make the problem worse. Charging unaffordable fees to workers on the minimum wage or less is not the way to increase take-up. Exhorting employers to provide language training is not the same as requiring them to do so. The government must listen to tutors and others who understand what is needed."